After eating, Ava drove them to school and parked the car in the school garage.
Matthew went to the hall first, while Ava stopped by the store inside the school to buy some snacks.
By the time Ava entered the hall, all 249 Grade 12 students were already there, making her the 250th student.
Their head teacher stood at the front with several other teachers.
Ava walked over and dropped into the seats with her friends, snacks in hand.
The head teacher looked around the hall and waited until the remaining conversations died down.
"Okay, since everyone is here, let's get to the point."
The hall gradually fell silent.
"Our school is among the six schools accepted to participate in the international competition," the head teacher announced.
He paused, allowing the information to settle before continuing.
"We will be hosting three of those schools two schools representing the Averis Nation and one representing the Orenthal Nation. And since we are the host school, we will also be representing our school in the competition. So you had better win."
A few students immediately started whispering excitedly.
The head teacher raised a hand, silencing them.
"Now, Averis Nation consists of eighteen countries. The first school coming here is an all-girls school from its capital country. The second is a mixed school from another country within the nation."
He tapped the control panel beside him.
The lights dimmed slightly as a massive holographic world map appeared above the front of the hall. The map rotated slowly, highlighting the Averis Nation and its eighteen countries.
"So, what do we know about Averis Nation?"
He gestured toward the hologram.
"Averis is known as a wonderland—the home of fame, prestige, and social life. It is a nation where almost everything revolves around being the best and being recognized for it."
The holographic display shifted, showing images and symbols representing different industries.
"They lead in entertainment, fashion, media, sports, and business. Their commercial industry is among the strongest in the world. They are also leaders in trade, imports, medical research, technology, and innovation."
Another section of the hologram lit up, displaying countless livestreams, virtual platforms, schools, workplaces, sporting events, and entertainment channels.
"And, of course, Averis is famous for its livestream culture. Jobs, schools, competitions, businesses, entertainment—even ordinary daily life—can be livestreamed there. Sometimes publicly, sometimes privately. Their standards are extremely high."
The head teacher folded his hands behind his back.
"Even the poorest country within Averis maintains standards that would be considered impressive elsewhere. Their saying is basically simple: if you can make it in Averis, you can make it anywhere."
A few students nodded.
"So don't look down on them."
His tone became more serious.
"They are proud. Extremely proud. They notice everything. The smallest mistake, the smallest flaw, the smallest sign that someone is falling behind. Their culture places enormous importance on perfection, reputation, appearance, and achievement."
The hologram changed again, now showing the participating schools.
"So, obviously, we have to take this competition seriously."
He pointed toward the school's emblem displayed beside the list.
"Our school is one of the top five elite schools in our region. The other participating school from the Kaelen Republic is also among the top five. All of us come from elite social circles, and most of you are already accustomed to a glamorous lifestyle."
He paused.
"But maintaining a position among the top schools for generations requires more than having money and connections. We have to prove that we deserve our position."
The hologram displayed three different competition categories.
"So, as I was saying, the first school from Averis is here for the talent competition."The image of the all-girls school appeared.
"The second school is coming for the basketball competition And the Orenthal school, which is also among the six selected schools, is here for the competition of wit."
The hologram displayed the three categories side by side.
"Talent. Basketball. Wit."
The head teacher looked across the students.
"These are not ordinary school competitions. Every school coming here has already proven itself to be among the best. So don't embarrass yourselves—or this school."
"I know this week is supposed to be your one-week holiday," the head teacher continued, rubbing his forehead. "It is also the week when you students are allowed to start your own student clubs and activities that can revolve around both life inside and outside the school."
He glanced toward the student president before continuing.
"And according to your student president, you also want to establish a Grade Study Group, also known as the Study Division."
Several students immediately became more attentive.
"We already told you that after the examinations, when the results of all 250 students are released, you can arrange yourselves into groups of five according to your scores. The top five students can form one group, students ranked from sixth to tenth can form another, and so on isn't that how we always do our study division."
He shook his head slightly.
"So, wait until the examination results are out. By then, you will know your scores and can arrange yourselves properly."
He sighed.
"Of course, every class already has its own regular study group with classmates it would still countinue to hold when school resume after this one week break . But according to your student president, this Grade Study Division is something you want to do for fun, connections, and competition between yourselves so it's not the real study division."
He shrugged.
"So I won't interfere."
A few students laughed.
"This week, however, we will be hosting two schools. The all-girls school from Averis will arrive for the talent competition, while the mixed school from Orenthal will be here for the competition of wit."
He raised two fingers.
"Wednesday is the Talent Competition."
He raised another finger.
"And Friday is the Wit Competition."
The holographic display changed, showing different student activities around the school.
"Now, before anyone gets confused, student clubs and school clubs are two different things."
The head teacher pointed toward the display.
"Student clubs are organizations created by you students and the student committee. They are mainly for fun, associations, connections, social status, and getting a preview of the kind of society you will eventually enter."
The names and symbols of the school's ten student clubs appeared across the hologram.
"There are ten official student clubs, and each one hosts events that are open to students across the school. They are more social in nature."
The display shifted again.
"School clubs, on the other hand, are extracurricular clubs organized around skills, talents, sports, and academic development."
Images of different activities appeared one after another.
"Sports, cooking, fencing, dancing, singing, swimming, studying, and other activities fall under school clubs."
He pointed toward the students.
"If you have a talent, develop it. If you are interested in a sport, join one. If you want to compete, train for it."
He smiled faintly.
"You remember the sports competition we had last month? That is exactly what these clubs are for."
The head teacher gave them one final look before stepping aside.
"Now, for the Wit Competition."
Another teacher stepped forward to replace him.
"The members of the Brainaic Club will be representing our school."
The hologram displayed the Brainaic Club emblem.
"For those who don't know, the Brainaic Club is the academic group responsible for representing our school in national and international academic competitions."
He tapped the screen.
"There are thirty members in total—ten from each grade."
The display divided the members into three groups.
"Therefore, the ten members from Grade 12 will be the ones representing the school in Friday's Wit Competition."
He looked around the hall.
"After school, we will meet with those ten students and begin preparations."
He gave a small nod.
"That will be all. Thank you."
The teachers gathered their materials and began leaving the hall together, while the students immediately broke into excited conversations about the upcoming competitions, clubs, and the new study division.
The student council president stepped up to the podium.
"Okay, quiet down before you all go about your business. I'll give you a little introduction about the student groups."
He glanced at the students before continuing.
"As the grade teacher said, there are ten student clubs, with twenty-five members in each. Some of you have been flooding my DMs asking whether you can join one club, two clubs, or even more. And like I said before, your chances of getting into certain clubs can depend on several things—your family's standing, how much your family contributes to the school, your social standing both inside and outside the school, and your connections."
A few students exchanged looks.
"Those things can determine whether you get accepted into a particular club. But again, this is supposed to be fun. So if you aren't selected by your first-choice club, don't panic. If another club has available spaces, we'll place you there. Everyone is expected to belong to at least one student club unless you deliberately choose to remain an outcast."
A few students laughed at that.
"As for the groups themselves, let's start with the Student Council."
The holographic display behind him changed, bringing up information about the council.
"To join the Student Council, you have to rank within the top thirty students in the school academically. But having good grades alone isn't enough. Your family's standing matters, and you must have accomplishments beyond simply having a big brain."
He raised a finger as he listed them.
"Your talents. The number of skills you possess. Competitions you've participated in, whether academic or otherwise. National and international achievements. How many languages you can speak. Your ability to communicate. Your leadership skills. And, most importantly, how intelligent and capable you are when it comes to handling student affairs."
He paused, letting the students absorb the information.
"Being a Student Council member isn't easy. You're not simply there because you're smart or because your family has money. You have to prove that you're capable of representing the entire student body."
The hall gradually became quieter as more students began paying attention.
"You'll be dealing with events, student disputes, school activities, clubs, communication with teachers, and sometimes even matters involving the school administration. So if you think joining the Student Council is just about wearing a badge and looking important, forget it."
A few students chuckled.
"You'll have plenty of opportunities to join other groups, so choose carefully. And remember—your position in these student groups isn't permanent just because you got in. You still have to prove yourself after becoming a member."
He tapped the podium, bringing the next page onto the holographic screen.
"Now, let's move on to the other nine student groups."
"The second group is the Legion Group."
The student council president tapped the podium, and the holographic display changed.
"The Legion Group is somewhat similar to the Student Council, but with much less stress."
"They're basically the school's collection of outstanding students. The perfect students, you could say. Health-care representatives, head boys and head girls, sports prefects, activity leaders, and students who have proven themselves in different areas."
The display showed several students participating in school events, organizing activities, and helping other students they have the same requirements as the students council members they don't accept any extra like us only 25 members "
"They're responsible for arranging a lot of the fun activities around the school. They can also have a say in student affairs if things get serious enough."
He paused before smiling proudly.
"But there is one major difference between the Legion Group and the Student Council."
He placed a hand against his chest.
"The Student Council actually has seats on the school board and several school committees."
His tone became noticeably more proud.
"So while the Legion Group may have influence among the students, we have a seat at the table where the bigger decisions are made."
Several students nodded.
"As for the Student Council, we currently have fifteen official members."
The hologram displayed the number 15/25.
"The Legion Group currently has ten official members, meaning there are still plenty of spaces available."
"It doesn't mean our legion group is for anyone to just join our requirements is more strict than those students council members they might have a say in the school committee but we run the show and bend the rules we are the rules " a girl said as she stood up rolling her eyes at the student council president before sitting down.
His lip twitched twice,
Enough we are not here to fight sophia said galncing at the girl who sat back down with a scoff . To change the topic he switched to the next group.
"Now, let's move on to the third group."
The hologram suddenly filled with screens, chat windows, trending topics, messages, and constantly updating information.
"The IT Group."
His expression became serious.
"My advice?"
He looked directly at the students.
"Don't cross them I'm serious."
He pointed toward the holographic screens.
"They're the information group. The latest gossip, the latest gist, every trending topic, every rumor worth knowing—if you want information, they probably already have it."
The display rapidly changed between different school grades and classes.
"They operate the school's gossip network. They have group chats covering every grade and practically every class. And their information doesn't stop at students."
"They keep track of what's happening with students, their families, teachers, board members, and even the principal. If something interesting happens anywhere in the school, chances are you'll hear about it through them before anyone else."
He sighed.
"And sometimes, somehow, they even know what's trending outside the school."
"The current leader of the IT Group is our dear Jake from the Nyx family, Class Five." He said as he clapped
The hall immediately filled with chuckles.
Jake, who had been sitting among his friends, stood and gave an exaggerated little bow.
Luna leaned toward him with a grin.
"We'll be counting on you for the gossip."
Jake returned to his seat.
"I think you're only here with me for what I can offer," he said, pretending to sound offended.
"Isn't that obvious?" Jordan replied, giving Jake a sideways glance. "If not, who could stand you?"
Jane, sitting beside Jordan, rested her head against his chest and nodded in agreement.
Luna immediately gave Jake a thumbs-up.
Jake turned toward Ava with exaggerated puppy eyes.
"Seriously?"
Ava barely looked at him.
"That really is the only good thing about you. Sorry to say."
She shrugged.
Jake immediately clutched his chest as though he'd been shot.
"My heart…"
The surrounding students burst into laughter.